A public consultation to seek views on a draft play strategy for Cheshire West and Chester will close at the end of this month.

The draft strategy has been developed in close collaboration between Cheshire West and Chester Council and local partners, such as town and parish councils, voluntary sector organisations, community groups and housing associations.

The draft strategy consists of:

  • A borough-wide strategy that provides guidance on policy and best practice in outdoor public play provision
  • Four Locality Play Improvement Frameworks (Chester, Ellesmere Port, Northwich/Winsford and Rural) which provide a detailed analysis of current and potential play spaces and outdoor youth facilities in communities across the borough.

The council’s Cabinet member for communities and wellbeing, Cllr Louise Gittins, said: “Having good facilities for play is vital for children and young people, because it contributes to their cognitive, physical, social, and emotional well-being.

“Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to read our draft documents and complete the questionnaire so far. There is still time to provide feedback, if you haven’t had chance to do so yet and I would urge any individual or group with an interest in play across the borough to get in touch and give their views.”

The public consultation on the play strategy started in early June and will close on Sunday, July 31. It will feed into a final presentation of the strategy to the council for approval in the autumn this year.

Once the play strategy is approved, a borough-wide play forum will be established to monitor and update the strategy moving forward and to report back on any play area improvements being planned by partners.

Any resident, community group, school, other stakeholder interested in play can comment by viewing the draft play strategy documents online, and completing either an online or postal questionnaire, which can be found at: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/PlayStrategy

If you require more information please contact the Place Operations Team via email on playstrategy@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk or telephone 01606 288666 or write to Place Operations, (Play Strategy) Cheshire West and Chester Council, 4 Civic Way, Ellesmere Port, CH65 OBE.